Overview
Christopher T. Sheean is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP and chairs the firm’s Class Action Practice Group. Chris defends products manufacturers in lawsuits, and counsels companies on various regulatory and governmental matters. He also represents national and international corporations in various types of commercial, corporate and intellectual property litigation matters throughout the United States.
- Defense Research Institute
- Law Institute Liaison, 2017-present
- Chair, Commercial Litigation Committee, 2015-2016
- Vice Chair, Commercial Litigation Committee, 2013-2015
- Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
- Northwestern University College of Law, Adjunct Professor, Trial Advocacy
- International Trademark Association
- Race Director, Big Shoulders 5K Open Water Swim, 1997-present
- Law Bulletin Media, ” Illinois Leading Lawyers,“ (2018-2025)
- Illinois Super Lawyers®, (2024-2025)
- “Top Lawyer in Commercial Litigation,” (2012-2025)
- Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rated, (2002-2025)
- “Corporate Veil Piercing in the Product Liability Suit,” DRI’s For the Defense, November 2019
- “Illinois Class Action Law,” DRI’s Compendium on Class Action Law, Spring 2011
- “’Bad To The Bone’ -7th Cir. Bars Plaintiffs’ Class Action Lawyer From Filing Copycat Lawsuits,” DRI Business Suit E-Newsletter, November 2010
- “Misappropriation of Non-Trade Secret Information Actions,” DRI’s For The Defense, October 2008
- “Illinois Trade Secrets Law,” Compendium on Trade Secrets and Non-Compete Clauses, DRI Publications, May 2008, Updated May 2012
- “Strategies for Defeating Class Certification in Mass Tort Cases,” Exploring Toxic Tort and Environmental Liability Claims, DRI Publications, July 2007
- “Defending Trade Secrets Claims,” DRI Defending Intellectual Property Compendium, Vol. 2, DRI Publications, March 2007
- “The Shattered Corporate Shield: Tales of Member and Owner Liability,” DRI Business Litigation Super Conference, May 2019
- “Welcome and Introductions,” DRI Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Conference, April 2019
- “Welcome and Introductions,” DRI Insurance Coverage and Practice Symposium, November 2018
- “Assault on Crossbows: Tales from the Front Lines in Defense of Shooting Sports” DRI Product Liability Conference Specialized Litigation Group Presentations, January 2018
- “Covenants Not to Compete and Trade Secrets,” Web Presentation to DRI Corporate Counsel Committee, September 2014
- “Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Its Scope, Power and Potential Impact,” DRI Business Litigation Seminar, Washington, D.C., May 2014
- “Video Gaming: A Jackpot For Your Establishment?” Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys Spring Seminar, Chicago, IL, April 2014
- “Trade Secrets and Non-Compete Agreements,” DRI Webinar, October 2012
- “Trade Secret Litigation Trends,” DRI Business Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation Seminar, New York, NY, May 2012
- “Invasion of the Class Action Privacy Lawsuits,” DRI Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., October 2011
